Tummy Tuck Surgery (Abdominoplasty)

The abdominoplasty procedure (tummy tuck) is a wonderful surgery that can make a dramatic difference in the contour of your entire midsection. Sometimes, no matter how hard you work out or diet, you just cannot lose that extra bulge in and around the stomach. This can be especially true in women who have children because the abdominal muscles are stretched and sometimes separated during pregnancy. However, excess accumulations of fat and skin in the abdominal area can impact men and women at all stages of life, making tummy tuck surgery an ideal solution for many people living in New Jersey and Staten Island.

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your abdominal area, please contact Associates in Plastic Surgery online or by calling (800) 860-1435 to schedule an abdominoplasty consultation. We have offices in Marlboro, Warren, and Edison, NJ along with Staten Island, NY to better serve the needs of people living throughout the region.

Types of Abdominoplasty

There are two types of tummy tuck performed by our New Jersey and Staten Island plastic surgeons:

Full Abdominoplasty – the full tummy tuck is the procedure most patients need. It is usually performed for someone who has sagging skin and weakened muscle above as well as below the belly button

During the procedure, an incision is made below the level of the bikini line and the skin is lifted. The belly button is reset through a new location in the skin so it basically stays in the same position. Often times, some liposuction is done on the love handles to maximally smooth the abdomen

Mini-Abdominoplasty – the mini tummy tuck is for patients who have only a tiny amount of extra skin hanging below the belly button. It is a shorter procedure with less recovery, and is often combined with liposuction. However, if the abdominal muscles are separated or the skin sagging is excessive, a full abdominoplasty is needed for the best results

Many of our NJ plastic surgeons specialize in body contouring surgery. During your initial consultation, we will carefully examine your natural contours and areas of concern to determine which technique is best for you. If tummy tuck is not the best option due to its limitations or area of focus, we will discuss other options including:

Full Body Lift – this procedure is often done for a patient who has lost a lot of weight or undergone gastric bypass surgery. The excess skin is removed from all around the abdomen (front and back), which essentially provides a tummy tuck, buttock lift and outer leg lift all at the same time

Thigh Lift and Buttock Lift – These procedures are ideal for patients who have excess skin and fat in the upper legs and buttock areas

Arm Lift (brachioplasty) – with this option excess skin is removed and the muscle tightened to take care of the “jiggly area” under the arms

Barring a fully body lift, which already includes abdominoplasty, most body contouring options can be added onto your tummy tuck procedure for more dramatic results. This is often done during procedures such as the mommy makeover, but the benefits of combining procedures is not limited to women who have had children. During your initial visit to one of our New Jersey plastic surgery offices, we will assess your frame, discuss all of your options, and help you choose those procedures best suited to produce the look you deserve.

Am I a Good Tummy Tuck Candidate?

If you want a toned, tight, fitter looking mid-section, you might be the ideal candidate for a tummy tuck, but the only way to know for sure is to speak with one of our NJ plastic surgeons and undergo an examination. Leading up to that first visit to one of our regional offices, the more information you are able to collect about tummy tuck candidacy, the better prepared you will be for you consultation.

It's important to remember that while the tummy tuck is quite safe and commonly performed, it's still a major surgery and should be taken seriously. The best way to do that is to ensure you are a good candidate for the procedure.

Generally speaking, a good candidate for abdominoplasty:

Is at or near their ideal bodyweight. This is not a weight loss procedure

Is a nonsmoker or willing to give up all products containing nicotine at least six weeks prior to surgery

Has a firm understanding of what a tummy tuck entails and has realistic expectations for the procedure

Is prepared to take time off from work and other activities during a necessary recovery period

Is capable of following all pre and postoperative instructions provided by our Staten Island plastic surgeons

Because tummy tuck addresses many of the issues caused by pregnancy, the procedure is particularly popular with recent mothers who often struggle to return their stomachs to a pre-pregnancy state. However, if you are a woman, you should wait until you're done having children before undergoing a tummy tuck. In addition, maintaining tummy tuck results relies on dedication to leading a healthier lifestyle. Good candidates for abdominoplasty should be willing to adopt an exercise routine and eat a well-balanced diet to help ensure maximum benefit from the procedure. Please take the following quiz to determine if you're an ideal tummy tuck candidate:

Our New Jersey plastic surgeons understand you likely still have questions about tummy tuck surgery. Please take time to compile a list of your questions prior to your consultation so we are able to answer them in full and address any concerns you may have going into your abdominoplasty procedure.

Alternatives to Tummy Tuck Surgery

If you are not a good tummy tuck candidate due to the surgery being too invasive for your needs, our plastic surgeons would be happy to discuss alternatives such as liposuction that may be more suitable. We also offer nonsurgical options including:

These options can be discussed as deemed appropriate by our plastic surgeons during your body contouring consultation.

Recovery from Tummy Tuck Surgery

A tummy tuck is an excellent way to tone and flatten your stomach. Finally removing that little bulge or paunch in the midsection can be a godsend, especially if you've been trying to do so for years through diet and exercise.

Still, it's important to remember that abdominoplasty is a major surgery. Recovering from it will take time and patience. You should understand what to expect from your recovery before you undergo the procedure.

Everyone heals at different rates, which means your precise recovery time is impossible to pin down. Still, there's a broad timeline most tummy tuck recoveries adhere to, and it can be a useful point of reference for you going into your procedure.

Our plastic surgeons will provide a more detailed plan for recovery, including specific dates for when you should return to our office for follow-up appointments. It's important that you precisely follow these instructions. Failure to do so can make your recovery longer and more uncomfortable than necessary. It can also impact results and produce a look that is less than ideal.

After your tummy tuck:

You can expect to wear some form of compression garment for a couple of weeks following the procedure. This is designed to reduce the swelling that is a natural result of abdominoplasty

Take the time to rest and relax in the days following your procedure. You can do some light activity to stimulate blood flow and healing – walking is particularly good – but get plenty of sleep and avoid any activities that strain your abdominal muscles until advised by our Staten Island plastic surgeons to resume them

Most patients can return to work about two weeks after tummy tuck surgery. However, if you work a physically demanding job the delay will be a little bit longer. We will help you determine when you can gradually increase the strenuousness of your daily activities during your routine follow-up visits

It usually takes between six and eight weeks for the full results of your tummy tuck to become apparent, though you will begin seeing improvement well before the end of that timeline. Once achieved, your results will be permanent so long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle

We understand that you're busy. You have work, you have your family, you have your friends. You don't want to be out of commission for a long time. Nonetheless, by taking the necessary time to recover and by listening to the advice of our New Jersey tummy tuck surgeons, you will protect your health and guarantee better results.

Contact our New Jersey Plastic Surgeons

If you live in New Jersey, Staten Island or any other nearby community and you're considering a tummy tuck, please call Associates in Plastic Surgery today at (800) 860-1435 for a consultation at our Staten Island, NY or Edison, Warren, or Marlboro, NJ office. All of our tummy tuck procedures are performed in our private, accredited surgical facilities, allowing us to more effectively safeguard your comfort and wellbeing.

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Disclaimer: This site only provides information about cosmetic surgery and this information is not meant to be taken as medical advice. For more information about surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as breast augmentation, liposuction, tummy tucks, facelifts, rhinoplasty, and facial rejuvenation, contact Associates in Plastic Surgery serving New Jersey and Staten Island, New York.